I'm not new to BP but it's been over 25 years since I've rammed a ball down the barrel.

Last week I received a T/C Hawken .50 flintlock rifle from JUNKKING. I'd been thinking about shooting BP again for a long time now that my son is all grown up. I've been tinkering with the Hawken for a few days getting used to it.
This morning when I got up, I decided to visit my good friend Bob Wilson. Bob and I have been friends for over 30 yrs and some of you met him at the TFF BBQ. Bob builds one of the finest Southern Mountain Rifles that I have ever seen. And his guns are accurate and have fired thousands of rounds down range at the NMLRA Spring and Fall shoots and various others around the country.
I was going on the visit to scrounge a few balls, powder and a good Black English flint to put the Hawken thru it's paces. We talked about old times and are making plans to improve the Hawken. Glass bedding, trigger work and maybe fire-lapping the barrel if needed.
Then I saw it. One of his Sourthern Mountain Rifles leaned against the wall gathering dust. I asked if he wanted to do some trading and pulled out a Springfield 1911. We did some haggling and struck a deal.

The Rifle has a nice curley Maple full-stock with a 42 in. Rice barrel, Davis double set triggers, small Siler Lock, iron furniture & patch box and looks to be a hundred years old.....but it's not of course. Oh, and it's .45 caliber.
I've owned a few of Bob's rifles in the past and I can tell you these rifles will hold a group.

Two muzzle loading rifles in one week !!! I can honestly say that I'm a happy camper thanks to two good friends.
I'll post some pictures tomorrow.

Enjoy Shooter. There is only one problem that I see with black powder shooting and that surrounds two terms associated with it, "Accoutrements" and "Possibles". What they really mean is that you are going to start accumulating every thing you could ever imagine you might need and in most cases more than one example of each.

He said it was a caplock. That Southern Mountain Rifle will be one to hang on to. I know somebody that will make you a canvas possibles bag with pillow ticking lining for 25.00 if you're interested. Something like this one.

Welcome back to the "Dark Side" Black powder shooting is great. My favorite rifles are the East Tenn. Flinters of course. The Rice round bottom barrels are tops. The fire Lapping with Teflon patches will really smooth the bore up. I use a "Texas Patch" treated with Wheeler Lapping compound. Make sure you use a muzzle protector when fire lapping.

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